Retirement

I'm so excited!

It's time for me to replace my Saucony Progrid Ride 3 running shoes. I figure I have about 400 miles on them and according to most "experts", that's right around the number of miles you should expect from a running shoe. Continuing to wear running shoes after they have started to wear out and break down is simply asking for an injury.

(Don't ya just love the pretty pink laces I put in them?!)

I'm considering getting a brand new pair of the exact same shoe simply because I love them so much. Part of the love is because they have been a great shoe for me and have provided miles of comfort, support, cushioning, and stability. But I have to admit that a good part of that love is because of where they've gotten me.

Those Saucony's have taken me from a walker to a jogger to a runner. They've taken me along sidewalks, roads, dirt paths, hills, and around and around the track at the local junior high school. And they've gotten me through a couple 5k's, one 10k and most importantly, to the finish of my FIRST HALF MARATHON. 

I would definitely consider donating them to a worthy charity if  I didn't love them so much. But since I do have such strong feelings for them, I will instead give them a place on honor on the top shelf in my closet. I won't be giving such special attention to all my running shoes when I retire them, just these......the first pair that helped make me a runner.

Can we have a moment of silence please......................

Done.

I completed my first half marathon! After five months of training I was finally able to run 13.1 miles. My official time was 2 hours, 27 minutes and 22 seconds which averages out to 11:22 minute miles. My "normal" running pace (when I'm not in a race and not running more than 10 miles) is about 10:40.

The Lost Dutchman Half Marathon course is what I would consider a hilly course made up of gentle rolling hills from start to finish. I was handling them pretty well (and running negative splits) until about mile 5 when it became a steady uphill climb until the turnaround point at mile 6.5. Obviously, mile 6.5 through 8 was then a nice, easy downhill run where I was able to let my legs relax and loosen back up a little. But it was also at this point that the rain started falling. Running in the rain isn't a whole lot of fun but luckily I had worn a cap and that kept the rain from beating directly on my face. The temperature at this point was probably about 50 degrees but I had already been running for over an hour so I wasn't cold.

Around mile 9 is when I started feeling slightly fatigued. (In past runs, when I've gone over 9 miles, which has only been twice, I think I've become fatigued because I haven't fueled my body properly. This time, I feel I did eat the right things and the right amounts - I carb loaded the night before and had a half of a bagel with peanut butter at 5:00 a.m. and then ingested two GU's during the run. I really think today's fatigue was because of the hills and because my legs just weren't prepared enough for them).

So, I struggled a little bit with the last couple miles but I hung in there. I think my excitement was what kept me going towards the end mostly because I knew I was really close, but also because this was the farthest I had EVER run in my whole life. Even during my training runs I had never gone further than 10.5 miles.

The highlights of my race were:
* Seeing my mom at mile 4.75. My mom is 78 years old and sometimes has a difficult time getting around. For her to make the effort to find a place on the course where she could park, then stand there in the cold and the rain waiting for me to finally run past was a HUGE deal to me. It's something I'll never forget.
* Seeing my wonderful boyfriend Randy at mile 12.5. He has also had some recent physical issues but he did what he had to do and drove out there just to root me on during the last leg.
* Having my sister Lisa there to encourage, support and cheer me on in my very first half marathon. It was really nice to have her there from start to finish.
*And lastly............but most obviously.........finishing!

Here I am at the finish with my medal:

Even when you think you are totally prepared and with months of training behind you, you never quite know what race day will bring. You could develop an injury, get sick, have a wardrobe malfunction, forget your bib, get a flat tire on your way there, have a family emergency, forget your socks, or still be standing in the porta-jon line when the starting gun goes off. So yes, I am extremely thankful that I was able to finish and to finish with a pretty decent time for a new, 49 year-old runner.      

Tomorrow I get a day off.  =)